Trim neighbours to young Janie said,
" 0 where may your Willie be ? " ." And where is your jolly lover gone
That flaunted o'er the sea ? "
An old crone said it to herself, Slow-chuckling at the door ; A young girl after Janie peered, And said, " He'll come no more."
The misty eve had blurred the heath, And wept adown the pane, When sudden open stood the door, And he stood in the rain !
She put her hand up to her heart, But no word could enquire; She took him by his languid arm, And drew him to the fire.
"O Will, have ye found some Northern love,
That your thoughts so heavy seem ; Or some dark lass o' Italy, That keeps ye in a dream ? "
Earnestly up he raised his eyes ; But water from them rushed : He oped his lips, and yearned to speak, But out salt water gushed.
There came a sea-moan in the room, A dancing slow and bright; Her lover dully smiled at her, Then faded from her sight.
She ran into the street; her eyes In the wet twilight shone : She cried " Have ye seen my Willie pass ?
He's been we me and gone."
STEPHEN PHILLIPS.
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